Man pleads guilty to killing roommate during soccer argument

Tuesday

Oct 25, 2011 at 1:00 PMOct 25, 2011 at 4:00 PM

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

An Austin Street man charged with fatally shooting his roommate after an argument over a televised soccer match was sentenced to 15 to 16 years in state prison after pleading guilty today to manslaughter.

Felix Garcia, 32, of 43 Austin St., had been charged with murder in the Oct. 25, 2009, shooting death of 26-year-old Juan Manuel Trejo Hernandez, but pleaded guilty in Worcester Superior Court to a reduced charge of manslaughter under a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Mr. Garcia, also known as Javier Ramon Velez and Felix Delgado, also pleaded guilty to a charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

As recommended by Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey T. Travers and Mr. Garcia's lawyer, John J. Roemer, Judge James R. Lemire sentenced Mr. Garcia to 15 to 16 years on the manslaughter charge and to a concurrent prison term of 9 to 10 years on the assault charge.

Mr. Travers said a witness told investigators that the fatal shooting occurred after an intoxicated Mr. Garcia became upset over a referee's call in a televised soccer match and an argument ensued with Mr. Hernandez, who tried to calm Mr. Garcia down.

Mr. Hernandez was shot twice, in the back and shoulder, with a .38-caliber handgun and died from his injuries, according to Mr. Travers.

The prosecutor said investigators found three .38-caliber spent shell casings in the second-floor apartment where the shooting occurred, as well as 18 empty beer cans.

Mr. Garcia, who left the apartment before police arrived in response to a 911 call, was arrested two days later in New Jersey, according to Mr. Travers.

“Nothing that may happen or may be done could alleviate the pain that my whole family has because of my brother's murder,” Mr. Hernandez's brother, Miguel Trejo, said in an impact statement read by Judge Lemire.

Mr. Garcia was given credit for 729 days he spent in confinement awaiting trial.